Orwigsburg looks to gain control of deteriorating Liberty Street building

Apr. 17—ORWIGSBURG — Borough council members at their meeting Wednesday night continued discussions about work and improvements to be done in the borough.

In an update on various properties, solicitor Paul Datte said a motion was filed to dismiss bankruptcy on the 119 S. Liberty St. building, which began collapsing last year. Once the motion is approved, Datte said the borough can begin a process of gaining authority for the building.

"If we could get cooperation from (the owner), he would convey the property to a mortgage holder, and the mortgage holder has agreed then to convey the property to the borough," Datte said.

Datte said the borough could then potentially get the building on the list of properties to be demolished by the county if the county has any remaining demolition funds. The 119 S. Liberty St. property is owned by Glenn Frantz, of Orwigsburg.

Council voted to approve a cooperation agreement with the county to demolish two other properties in the borough, 201 and 203 Long Ave.

Another major project in the borough is resolving stormwater problems and potholes, including potholes and underground issues on Decatur and Church streets, potholes on South Walborn Street and a sinkhole on North Warren Street.

Borough Manager Randall Miller said it's hoped the issues on Decatur Street can be resolved in the next month or two, and that pothole repairs throughout the borough will begin next week.

Council has also been discussing a sewer main replacement project. At last month's meeting, council voted to approve subsurface contracting work to collect data on sewer lines throughout the borough, but requested to hear the estimated cost of the entire replacement project at the next meeting.

At Wednesday's meeting, Bryon Killian, project manager for Entech Engineering, said replacement of sewer lines in six areas of the borough would cost around $3 million.

Council voted to move forward with the Marshall Drive portion of the project, costing $550,000, as well as surveying of the other areas.

There will also be renovations made to borough hall beginning this year. The borough received a bid from Jones Masonry Restoration Corp. for $294,000, which would cover work done to each wall of the building and the chimney.

"Their recommendation was to do the west elevation and the chimney this year," Miller said, which would be $118,000 of the total.

Council did not vote on the recommendation at this meeting.

The Orwigsburg Lions Club requested a nonexclusive lease agreement to make improvements to the recreation trail at Albright's Woods.

Total cost of the work will be $12,000. The Lions Club will apply for a $5,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Council voted to match the $5,000 if the Lions Club receives the DCNR grant.

At last month's meeting, Fire Chief Jesse Zimmerman presented to council a plan to refurbish the fire department's bell, which it has had since 1899, and put it on display in Bicentennial Park. Zimmerman said at Wednesday's meeting the refurbishment has been completed.

"It was loaded and has made it to its destination," Zimmerman said. "We are working with the Jason Jones Foundation on a pedestal and how that's going to be laid out."

A temporary flagpole was installed Thursday to replace the pole on West Market Street that was blown over in November. Miller said the replacement pole was damaged twice during shipment, so Bartush Signs Inc., Orwigsburg, provided a temporary pole, from which the permanent pole will be built.

In an update on the borough's search for a new police chief, Mayor Barry Berger said after advertising the position the borough received 23 applications.

"We selected 10 candidates to be interviewed" on April 26 and 27, Berger said.

Berger also read a letter from Sgt. Steven Guers, Penn State Schuylkill Police Department, recognizing Orwigsburg police Officer Robert Bechtel for his work during the homicide Monday on Route 61 near the borough.

"His calm demeanor provided police units with clear information," Guers wrote. "He truly did an excellent job from start to finish."

Finally, council voted to return to two meetings per month, a work session and regular council meeting, starting in May.